Antenora (6)
Setting Sail

Loki frowned at what Ermine had written. "Weselton...?"

Elsa sighed. "I knew it."

"What is Weselton?"

Loki's inquiry prompted a flood of unpleasant memories Elsa would rather not remember. But she had to explain. "It's a kingdom south from here, situated off the coast of Germany. It was once our closest partner in trade. Three years ago an envoy had been invited to my coronation, with the intention of fortifying our trade agreement. He was the first to accuse me of being a monster when my powers had been revealed. I ran away so I couldn't hurt anyone, most of all my sister, but the Duke tried to convince everyone that I had cursed my own land." She suppressed a shudder. "He even sent his men to kill me. They didn't succeed, of course. For that, I promptly sent him back to Weselton and cut off all ties with them."

Loki's brows knitted together. "I see. This assassination attempt...you think it could be revenge from the envoy?"

Elsa didn't bother to hide her cold contempt. "If so, he isn't very smart." Her eyes fell on Ermine's pendant, still clutched in Loki's hand. "When I think about it...the Duke of Weselton would never be the one to send this assassin."

"Why not?"

"He feared my powers and accused me of evil sorcery. It's only natural to conclude that the Duke is haplessly superstitious, with a strong aversion to anything even remotely related to magic. I can't imagine that he'd ever approach the Grendel Order, even if it's to do away with me."

"Then who else in Weselton would want to kill you?"

Elsa sighed and kneaded her temple with her right hand. "That will be for another time, I suppose. I don't think I can handle any more horrifying revelations. That's enough for questioning for the night. There's a lot I need to think through, and Ermine needs a doctor before his wounds get worse from infection."

Her mind reeled like a maelstrom; she could hardly think. "I have more questions that need more answers. But we'll have to sail south. To Weselton." Her gaze fell upon Loki, then on young Ermine. "You two will be coming with me. Along the way, we'll have time for more questioning."

Elsa called for Einar, Arendelle's Captain of the Guard. He stood as tall as Loki, perhaps even taller. Years of experience showed in his peppered brown hair and the faint scars cutting across his face.

"You called, your majesty?" he asked.

Elsa nodded. "Please have a doctor see to the boy's wounds, but keep a careful eye on him. I plan to take him along as we leave Arendelle for Weselton."

"Weselton? Is that the kingdom responsible for sending this assassin? The nerve." The Captain's anger then shifted into shock. "You're going there yourself, Queen Elsa?"

She sighed. "I must. A simple letter exchange won't do. I'll confront the king and his court myself on this urgent matter."

The Captain of the Guard was about to leave when Elsa called him back. "Forgive me Einar, but I must ask you another favor while you call for a doctor. Could you send a message to Anna? I need her here at the castle as soon as possible. I'll meet her at my study."

"Of course, Queen Elsa. I'll let her know right away," he replied.

Elsa didn't leave the cell until Einar brought in a doctor and told her that he had informed Anna. Loki fell in behind Elsa as she left. The last thing she saw was the doctor stooping down to check the boy's broken leg.

As Elsa sunk into her chair, Loki was able to slip the book back to its rightful place without a sound. She took no notice as she buried her face into her hands.

A rapid series of knock sounded at the door, followed by two final knocks that lingered, made Elsa lift her head up. Only one person in all of Arendelle knocked like that.

"Come in, Anna."

Out of habit, she had iced over the doorknobs. Elsa managed a small, apologetic smile as her younger sister came rushing in. Anna's eyes were at once heavy with sleep and wide with anxiety.

"Elsa, what's wrong? Did something happen?"

With a heavy sigh, the queen of Arendelle recounted Loki's skirmish with the assassin and the interrogation; all the while her sister sat pale-faced and listened with wide-eyed shock.

"Someone tried to kill you again? That's terrible!" The shock in her eyes gave way to clear, immense relief. "I'm so glad you're all right, Elsa. What do you plan to do?"

Elsa steepled her hands. "I didn't call you only to bring bad news. I must ask of you something very important, Anna. I'll have to place you in charge of Arendelle while I leave for Weselton."

"Me? Rule Arendelle in your place? Of course I'll help you, Elsa." Anna paused and wrung her hands. Finally she said, "It's just...I don't know if I could ever do half a good job as you, especially with papers and protocol and all that-"

"Calm down, Anna. You will do fine. Kai and Gerda are more than willing and ready to assist you."

Mention of the kingdom and royal family's most loyal and reliable stewards made Anna visibly relax.

"I'll try not to be away for too long," Elsa continued. "Given the distance, the kind of ship, and not factoring in any delays, the voyage to Weselton and back will take two weeks. At most."

Elsa said that with hopes to reassure her sister, which was why it surprised her to see Anna tear up.

"Two weeks...?" the younger woman whispered. "Mama and Papa had said they would be away for that long..."

Elsa's heart clenched at the thought of the deceased king and queen. Anna dashed the back of her hand across her eyes. "I still remember the last time ever seeing them...how can I ever forget?"

The queenlike formality Elsa exuded was gone in an instant. She closed the distance between them and pulled her sister into a comforting embrace. "I'll be fine, Anna. Don't worry about me. We'll get to the bottom of this, and I will return to Arendelle safe and sound. Besides...I'll have someone protecting me." She met eyes with Loki for a second.

Anna sniffed and quickly dabbed at her eyes. She returned the hug with a firm squeeze. "I'm sorry. I ought to be stronger."

Loki stood quietly to the side all the while, and found that he couldn't look at Elsa and Anna for long. He averted his gaze. The love and affection the two sisters so strongly shared irritated him. Anna finally kissed her sister goodnight and pulled away. He watched her head for the door.

"If I'm going to watch over Arendelle, that means I'll have to move my family into the castle. Maybe this is a good time to get my kids used to this place." Anna tried to sound chipper, but Elsa could hear the nervousness and sadness thinly masked behind her voice.

The queen managed a smile. "Henrik and Hilda can play in the ballroom with Olaf, just as we had always done when we were little."

"Yeah, like old times."

The warm fondness evoked by such sweet memories was all too brief as Anna left the study, leaving Elsa to worry over the situation at hand. A wave of dull fatigue overcame her at the thought of making arrangements for the trip. Hiring a crew, acquiring the right ship, taking care of expenses...she had a lot of work to do. Elsa looked down at the letter sent from Corona, and her reply she had yet to finish. The moonlight glowing on the seal of the sun made for an intriguing juxtaposition.

'Corona...it's not too far from Weselton, I believe. They're both kingdoms in Germany. Perhaps I can squeeze in time to visit the royal family of Corona myself, rather than send a letter that I'll likely never have time to get around finishing it.'

Loki spoke up then. "Are we really going to set sail, Queen Elsa?"

She made up her mind. She gave him a resolute nod. "You'll come along, won't you?"

A small laugh escaped his lips. "Given my current situation, I don't have a choice." The light in his eyes faded as he gave her a serious gaze. "Regardless, I'm curious to find out who would be so brazen to make an attempt on your life." Obviously, he needed her alive for his elaborate plan. He'd prevent any further assassination if he could help it.

The next day, Elsa spent most of it preparing for the impending trip overseas. She cleaned up her room, removing all traces of what had happened last night. She was almost finished perusing through her wardrobe for clothes to pack when she heard a knock at her door.

"Queen Elsa? This is Captain Einar. Pardon my intrusion, but I must have a word with you."

Elsa hastily crossed her room to receive him at the door. "Come in, Einar. I was taking a break from packing, anyway. What brings you here?"

The Captain of the Guard seemed to her an older, more worn version of her late father, both in appearance and manner. Einar cleared his throat and looked down at her. "Queen Elsa, if I may make a request...please let me and some of my men accompany you."

Elsa mulled over this for a few seconds. Then she said, "Some of your men may come. But you must stay, Einar." She lowered her voice, despite her and the Captain being the only ones in her room. "I don't want to worry my sister any further...but should Arendelle ever come under attack, we can rely on you to protect the kingdom while I'm away."

Einar shook his head, and he too lowered his voice to a grave murmur. "I have served your father for ten years, and you for four. I don't want the sea to claim another ruler of mine."

Elsa's throat clenched. She reached out to put a hand on his shoulder, touching him for just a moment. Something she never would have done three years ago. "It won't happen," she reassured him. "I will do everything in my power to return to Arendelle. Thank you for your concern, Einar. I truly appreciate your service and dedication to my family through the years. However, my order still stands. Anna is a part of Arendelle, too. She will need your strength and experience should the time call for it."

Einar set his jaw adamantly. "I understand, your majesty, but I have another reason for my doubts." His eyes darkened as he said, "It's that man, Loki. I don't trust him at all. He's cunning and powerful, that much I know. The little capabilities we've seen from him so far might not even be his full strength. Are you absolutely sure you want him to accompany you on your voyage?"

"Your misgivings are reasonable," Elsa replied. "True, his magic might prove to be troublesome. Fatal, even. But last night Loki proved to do his duty and he saved my life. He's also the only one to get through that assassin. On strictly practical terms, I need him. And...I'm willing to give him another chance." She gave the Captain a tight smile. "Rest assured...if he ever thinks of betraying me, punishment will be swift and ice-cold."

That seemed to ease Einar's tension. He finally dipped his head as he relented with respect. "Very well. I will stay here, then." Before he turned to leave, he said, "I wish you godspeed on your journey, your majesty. Please be safe."

On the day of the departure, Elsa's family met at the docks to see her off. Kai helped move Elsa's belongings to the ship, just as he had for her parents six years ago. Again, Loki remained silent and was forced to witness familial sentiment. The queen was not only a queen, but a sister, aunt, and sister-in-law as well.

Henrik giggled and sniffled a little as Elsa pulled him into a loving hug. She softly kissed the top of her baby niece's head. She and Kristoff exchanged a brief yet firm embrace. Elsa playfully tugged at Olaf's carrot nose and, not wanting her dress to catch reindeer musk, settled for stroking Sven's large muzzle. Finally, Anna passed Hilda to Kristoff so she could hold onto her older sister one more time.

Anna's voice wavered. "Take care of yourself, okay?" She reluctantly pulled back and marched up to Loki.

"And you. You better take care of my big sister, mister." Then to his surprise, like sunlight breaking through a stormy cloud, Anna beamed at him. "I know you will, though. You saved her life once, and you can do it again."

'So quick to forgive and place her trust...she reminds me of Thor.' The thought both startled and irked him.

He followed after Elsa to board the ship. The crew milled around them as they got the ship going; all the while Elsa remained by the ship rail to wave back at her family until they faded from sight. Schooling her features into a mask of regality, she tried not to let her sorrow show as she finally turned away and stared wistfully at crew members bustling on the deck. Loki craned his neck back to let his gaze rest on the wind-pulled sails. Gone were the days of Viking longships. This "clipper," as this particular ship was called, was nowhere as fast as vessels from Asgard, but for Midgardians the clipper was quite fast. It suited the urgency of the situation.

As an act of courtesy, the captain lent his stateroom to Queen Elsa while he settled for bunking with his crew. Not that she complained or had much pickiness for space, but the room was smaller than she thought. As Loki passed through the low door, he had to duck to avoid hitting his head. The bed and desk were quite plain, save for the rosemaling patterns that gave away the ship's Norwegian origin. Ermine was given the tiny desk so he could write out his answers in cryptic runes. Bound and closely watched by Loki, it seemed unlikely that the boy would dare lash out at both adults in such a confined space. Elsa didn't know if any of them knew it or not, but she looked just as nervous and uneasy as Ermine.

Not counting the one she had thawed three years ago, Elsa had never been on a ship in her life. The thought of sailing across the sea made her unbearably nervous. She hid this from Loki, of course. She was the queen of Arendelle, ruler and defender of her kingdom. She was determined not to look any less in his eyes. Besides, she still had questions that needed answers.

She sat on the bed while Loki stood close to her. She folded her arms and bore her gaze into Ermine's own. "Let's get down to business," she stated flatly. "What is this Grendel Order you work for?"

She had to look away as Ermine wrote. Watching him would only make her nausea worse. The last thing she wanted to toss her dignity out the window by throwing up in front of them. The only sounds heard were lapping waves from outside and the scratching of the quill on paper as Ermine wrote a lengthy response.

After some time, Loki spoke up to turn the archaic script into intelligible words Elsa can understand. "The order takes its name from the beast sprung from an Anglo-Saxon poem from days of old. Grendel comes and goes to attack the mead hall Heorot, shedding blood and reaping kills with each strike. He was feared by all but the hero Beowulf. But real life is not an epic poem. There are no heroes, only death. Death is real. We assassins live to kill. We strike hard, quick, and fast...as real as the blow of a sword, but untouchable and difficult to grasp...like a legend in the minds of men. We are all trained to be Grendels."

Elsa only acknowledged Ermine's response with a grim nod. Even the way he wrote sounded so detached, removed from reality, removed from humanity...She wondered how many successful kills he had to his name, how many people fell victim to his Grendel-like murders, if he ever felt anything when he killed for the first time...

She digressed. Elsa needed to think about more important questions at hand. "Who are your masters?" she asked. "Will there be more of your kind coming for me? And what will be in store for you?"

Again, Elsa waited for Ermine to muster his answer. She closed her eyes and fought the urge to grimace as she felt sickening flutters in her stomach. Of all the times to feel seasick...

"My masters...even that I cannot say. I do not know their names, or even what they look like. I was simply given orders and the means to kill Queen Elsa of Arendelle, and that was that. Secrets within secrets shroud the order. If there are others like me coming after you, I do not know. I would not be informed, and it would have been wise on my masters' part to refrain from doing so." The pallid, dark-haired boy paused for a moment before writing further: "As for my fate, the order no longer has any need for me. I failed my mission. My inability to minister death gives me no reason to live."

Elsa suppressed a shudder when Loki read out Ermine's last sentence. She wondered what thoughts ran through the boy's head. She couldn't possibly imagine being in his position...broken leg, cut tongue, and all. It was useless to press further about the mysterious Grendel Order. The order itself wasn't an immediate threat anyway. Ill will from Weselton, on the other hand..."Someone from Weselton wanted me dead, correct?" she asked sharply. "Who is it? I want to know." Thankfully it didn't take her long to wait for an answer. But what Loki said made her blood run cold.

"The king of Weselton..." he murmured. "It was the king who employed Ermine."